The Elon University softball team split a doubleheader for the second straight day to finish 2-2 at the Hatter Invitational hosted by Stetson University in DeLand, Fla.
Campbell 3, Elon 0
In its first game of the day, Elon struggled to get anything going offensively and spoiled a solid outing by junior starter Chelsea White in dropping a 3-0 decision to Campbell University.
The Camels jumped out to a 1-0 lead on sophomore first baseman Courtney Klingler’s home run over the wall in left field during the second inning.
After holding the Phoenix scoreless in the top of the third, Campbell added another run on freshman right fielder Milly Martinet’s double into left field to score junior short stop Ericka Nesbitt, giving the Camels a 2-0 lead.
Neither team’s offense could muster a rally in the next inning, but in the fifth, the Camels scored their final run on junior center fielder Stephanie Jones’s double into right center, which scored junior third baseman Brittany Bruce and provided freshman starter Katie Baker with just enough runs to secure the victory.
White (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season despite giving up just three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out one.
Elon 8, Bethune-Cookman 7 (8 innings)
In the second game of Elon’s doubleheader, the Phoenix bats came alive after staying silent for two straight games, spurring a thrilling comeback in extra innings to send the team back to North Carolina with something to smile about.
Freshman starter Alli Burdette struggled early for the Phoenix, giving the Wildcats a run on a bases-loaded walk in the second inning which put Bethune-Cookman up 1-0.
The Wildcats would add a second run in the inning on freshman center fielder Destinee Williams’ single to left, scoring freshman first baseman Sabrina Anguiano.
In the fourth, freshman third baseman Kaitlin Alamprese singled down the left field line to score junior left fielder Calesha Shelley and Williams and give the Camels a 4-0 lead.
But the Phoenix would respond. Senior centerfielder Carleigh Nester ripped a double into left center in the bottom of the fifth, scoring left fielder Alaina Hall and pulling the Phoenix within three, 4-1.
In the seventh, with the Phoenix down to its last three outs, Hall began a game-saving rally with a triple to right, which scored senior second baseman Lauren Oldham. The next batter, Nester, lofted a sacrifice fly to center to score Hall and bring the Phoenix within one. Sophomore right fielder Emily Cameron then hit a two-out solo home run to center to tie the game and force extra innings.
But, Bethune-Cookman would go on a rally of its own in the top of the eighth to take the lead, 7-4, and once again put the Phoenix three outs away from defeat.
But the Phoenix was not to be denied. An Oldham double drove in two to cut the deficit to one, setting the stage for Hall, who came through with a double to score Oldham and Nester and give the Phoenix a walk-off victory.
The win moves Elon to 5-2-1 on the season.
The Phoenix will next play Feb. 19 when it travels to Buies Creek, N.C., for a rematch with Campbell. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.